Skimmer Suggestion For Non-Photo Tank - 70 Gallons

[tanglovers]

Well we have a beautiful elos mini sitting in our living room to set up but after going through and making a stock list (both fish and coral) we are seeing that room is going to be an issue and will likely forget this and go with a 50-60g rimless.

We are planning on roughly 1/2 the corals being non-photosynthetic corals, will start out easy and get into the harder to keep ones. The other 1/2 will be LPS and clams. Does anyone feel this will be a huge issue?

Tentative plan:

36x18 footprint tank (height will dictate tank size). Looking at either a 18" tall (50g) or 22" tall (60g).

Circulation 2x Vortech MP10s.

Lighting: 2x 12" Aqua Illumination LEDs

Return Pump: Smaller Eheim

Big thing I am unsure on is the skimmer. Total system after displacement will be in the 70g neighborhood or less. I know non-photocorals can be quite a bit of bioload because of the feedings.

What are some skimmer recommendations. I am looking for the most bang for the buck. Not opposed to modding it slightly but do not want to be extreme here.

Any thoughts would be great! I have a EuroReef CS6-2+ that could be utilized (135g rated) but would like to see the current market as well.

Thanks!

 

[Aquabacs]

Take a look at the Buble Magnus NAC6. It handles my tank well.

Here is a picture of mine with its liter over flow cup. The skimmer is a workhorse!

Mike

 

[tanglovers]

Thanks for the info. I am pretty certain we will go with one of these. From the reading I have done so far (after your recommendation) seems like a great skimmer.

How well has the mesh on the pinwheel lasted for you so far?

 

[Aquabacs]

For the skimmer's mesh wheel I inspect it every month when I do complete cleaning of the skimmer. The mesh wheel I replace I replace the material every 3 months. Now, do you actually need to change it every 3? Probably not. It is a practice I prefer to do. The mesh material is very inexpensive and I want to make sure my skimmer is working at optimal levels all the time. A sheet of mesh should last a minimum of 2 years with replacing the mesh wheel every quarter.

Mike

 

[tanglovers]

Sounds great! I am also looking at the SWC small cones as well. They are a little more but seem to also have a large following for good reviews.

 

[Aquabacs]

There are many great skimmers on the market right now. What is most important is their function, failure rate and the ROI (return on investment). If you find a skimmer that works well for your application, go for it.

Mike

 

[tanglovers]

Well it looks like it will be the SWC line, the next shipment of BMs will not be in until at least the beginning of May. I am shooting to have this system up and running by then, not stocked but at least cycling.